Des Moines Metropolitan WRA Achieves PAS 55 Certification

Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) recently achieved BSI Publicly Available Specification 55 (PAS 55). Securing this certification provides assurances to WRA's customers, employees, regulators and other stakeholders of their commitment to optimal and sustainable asset management operations. PAS 55 certification also places WRA at the forefront of its field and clearly demonstrates a systematic and cross-disciplinary approach to asset management.

Stratum Consulting Partners, an Endorsed Assessor of PAS 55, performed the certification. Tracy Smith, vice president of Stratum, notified Bill Miller, WRA maintenance administrator, of their achievement on May 21st, 2012.

Smith states, "We are very pleased to award WRA this certification. WRA achieved PAS 55 certification by demonstrating that they have established, documented, implemented and are continuing to improve a quality management system for the whole life management of their assets and infrastructure. The WRA Asset Management System (AMS) directs the planning, investing, operating, maintaining and disposing of WRA equipment and infrastructure. WRA's well-tuned AMS allows them to achieve its primary objective of recycling wastewater in reliable quantities and in an environmentally compliant and sustainable manner, while ensuring the health and safety of employees, customers and the public."

Des Moines WRA is made up of 17 metro area municipalities, counties and sewer districts. As the preferred treatment facility for hauled liquid wastes, they work together to protect public health and to enhance the environment by recycling wastewater.

Miller said, "Effective and efficient asset management is a team effort. Even though the maintenance and operations departments took the lead, many parts of the business were involved in setting and exceeding the standards that attracted this certification. This certification should be viewed as recognition for the entire Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority organization."

All physical assets operated by WRA were included in the PAS 55 certification process. "Asset management excellence is a key priority for our business," Miller said. "We utilize our assets to deliver dynamic and responsive wastewater conveyance and treatment services that provide high value to our customers."